Islam is now Britain's second largest religion with a significant community presence for nearly fifty years. Yet, British Muslims are often viewed through the prism of the migration process. This book seeks to move beyond these images to address the evolving social realities of British-born Muslims, now the majority. How do they respond to pressures to give up or attenuate their distinctive moral, cultural and religious attitudes and beliefs? How and where do they place themselves in the context of nationality and citizenship as participants in wider society? This book examines the various patterns of Muslim migration and community formation and explores notions of identity, belonging and cultural difference. In addressing the key obstacles and challenges, the authors question conventional definitions of citizenship and frameworks of integration, analysing the legal, social and political factors inhibiting social inclusion, civil engagement and participatory politics among British Muslims. The book helps to break new ground on debates around inclusion and will be of interest to British Muslims and all those who wish to engage with this dynamic, diverse and often misunderstood community.
"Seddon, Hussain and Malik stress the importance of Muslim engagement in British society, and draw upon their extensive knowledge of Islam, social sciences, and the law, to demonstrate both the challenges and the possibilities....their ideas deserve to form the basis for debate about the future of Islam in the UK. This book will be valuable to students in Islamic studies, sociology, race and ethnicity, politics and law, but also warrants a much wider general readership."
Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Department of Religious & Theological Studies, Cardiff University.
